Fever, Chpts. 18-20, Figurative Language Analysis

Which of the following is NOT a clue that Mattie lives in an earlier time period?

• "I dragged the bathing tub into the front room and filled it with boiling water" (131).

• "As the water heated, I scavenged in the garden again."

• "I swung the sword and gashed the thief's shoulder."

• "I usually bathed once a month, or for special occasions...This felt like a special occasion" (131).

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.3

Part A: After grandfather dies, Mattie says, "I held my breath and waited for the world to stop spinning. The sun need not rise again. There was no reason for the rivers to flow. Birds would never sing" (147). What type of figurative language is this?

• symbolism

• metaphor

• hyperbole

• allusion

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.4

Part B: What does the symbolism in "I held my breath and waited for the world to stop spinning. The sun need not rise again. There was no reason for the rivers to flow. Birds would never sing" (147) stand for?

• The symbolism signifies the beauty of nature and its eternal cycle.
• The symbolism represents hope and renewal in difficult times.
• The symbolism represents despair and the feeling that life loses its meaning in the face of profound emotional pain.
• The symbolism illustrates a moment of joy and celebration of life.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.4

What does Mattie mean when she says, "I felt like a baby girl just learning to walk, only the ground under my feet was shaking and I had no one to hold on to" (148).

• Mattie feels confident and in control of her situation.
• Mattie is excited about a new adventure ahead.
• Mattie believes she is surrounded by supportive friends.
• Mattie feels vulnerable and unsupported in a challenging situation.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.4

What does the metaphor "The sound of of my shoes tapping across the cobblestone echoed down the street like a latecomer sneaking into church" show about how Mattie feels?

• Mattie was uncomfortable walking in the streets because she was late.

• Mattie's felt uncomfortable because the streets were empty of people.

• Mattie did not like being late to her appointment.

• Mattie liked to sneak around the streets of Philadelphia.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.4

How does this simile "It looked like an enormous broom had swept away all the people" represent the mood of Philadelphia in this part of the text?

• The mood in Philadelphia is frightened because no one wants to catch yellow fever.

• The mood in Philadelphia is hopeful because yellow fever is starting to die down.

• The mood in Philadelphia is angry because people don't want to be infected with yellow fever.

• The mood in Philadelphia is forlorn because yellow fever has dispersed the population

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.4

What is the symbolism of the rats in Philadelphia (156)?

• Rats carry diseases, showing Philadelphia is full of yellow fever.

• Rats are thought of as tricky and sneaky showing how people are stealing resources from each other.

• Rats are scavengers, showing Philadelphia is empty.

• Rats are normally located at the river, showing how yellow fever has not yet spread in the city.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.W.6.9A

Mattie finds a broken doll and a small girl at the end of Chpt. 20. The girl tells Mattie, "Mama's broken too." What does "broken" mean in the context of that sentence?

• 'Broken' means the mother is emotionally damaged from seeing the effects of yellow fever.

• 'Broken' means the doll is not able to be fixed.

• 'Broken' means the mother is unable to talk to the child.

• 'Broken' means the mother is either sick or dead from yellow fever.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.RL.6.4

Part A: After grandfather dies, Mattie interacts with several people on the streets as she searches for her mother (156-162). What pattern of behavior do these people have?

• They are suspicious of Mattie and treat her poorly.

• They feel hopeless because yellow fever has taken something from them.

• They are kind and help Mattie by giving her important information.

• They are terrified and just want to leave Philadelphia.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.3

Part B: What does this pattern of behavior reveal?

• The pattern underscores the emotional and psychological devastation that follows a yellow fever outbreak.

• The pattern confirms how helping others can make someone feel better, especially in harmful circumstances.

• The pattern shows that yellow fever kills everyone who catches it.

• The pattern demonstrates that people will revert to their basic instincts when they do not have enough resorces.